2016/2017 Navigation and other questions

I'm in the market for a mid-sized pickup. Probably buy one next spring. I am downsizing from a Chevy Duramax Diesel. I want a smaller truck to more easily fit into my garage and general parking lot issues, etc.

I am looking/researching the Tacoma and Canyon/Colorado models. I would prefer a mid to high end "trim level". The online information on new vehicles is confusing to me as many "options" the trucks have actually require a smart cell phone. I am more interested in the features that are built into the trucks.

1. Navigation (aka GPS). Colorado lists "navigation" as included with the 8" monitor, but that only works via your cell phone and/or OnStar. A "stand alone" navigation system is available at about $500, but only is available with a Bose radio upgrade, which is another $500. Is it the same for the Tacoma? I see that navigation (at least on the local dealer websites) lists navigation. Please see the link to see what I mean. While I do have a smart phone, I think connecting/unconnecting it each time I get into the car would be a PITA. I use the GPS in my car most times I go driving; it's a habit I guess. <g>

2. Keyless Door Opening/Start - I do not think that's available on the GM products, but I have that with my wife's car and I like it. Just leaving the key in my pocket is so very convenient for a lazy guy like me! I believe most or all TRD models have that feature? How well does it work? I see on this forum that it can be configured to open both doors or not; that's not an issue for me.

3. Tow/Haul Mode - The GM's have it and it is useful for towing a "heavy" trailer. Provides engine breaking, etc. I do not see that available with the Tacoma's V6/AT, but then I don't know if I'd miss it. The only trailer I'd tow is about 2500 lbs at the most.

4. The TRD models - I would probably only get a 4wd if I found it for under $1000 above the 2wd price. I don't really need 4wd where I live. However, I see there is an "off road" and Sport version of the TRD model. Looks like the hoods are different, along with a few other chrome/paint details. Can anyone tell me in a nutshell what the difference boils down to for myself who would probably never go off the pavement? The price of the two looks identical to me?

Thanks for the replies ya'll!

 

1. GPS works without any onstar subscription or phone connection. The maps are built into the system. Your phone will automatically connect as you start the vehicle (if you want it too) so it's not so much of a PITA.

2. I LOVE the keyless door entry. It's a thermal strip on the inside of the handle that unlocks the door so as soon as you grab the handle the door unlocks and it works very well. To lock you press your thumb on the outside of the handle.

3. The Tacoma does have a tow mode. It's a button called ECT PWR which stands for electronically controlled transmission - power mode. It adjusts the shift points of the transmission for heavy hauling and IMO works well whenever I haul a bed full of firewood.

4. Sport and off road are exact same price. Sport is more aesthetic based. Color matched bumper and fender flares. Hood scoop. 17" rims with street tires. Stiffer suspension for less body roll. The off road has more of a utilitarian feel. Unpainted fender flares, chrome bumper, multi terrain select with crawl control, electronically locking rear differential, 16" rims with an A/T tires. Softer suspension for off road. Off road has some electronics on it that make it more desirable for enthusiasts like the multi terrain and especially locking rear diff. Sport looks good and is a bit more economic for street

 

The Toyota Entune Premium is a stand alone navigation system.

The standard requires a cell phone connection???

The JBL is available as an upgrade to the Premium system.

 

1. the nav system is standard on the TRD packages. it runs off of the HD radio so you dont need to pair your phone with the truck to get it working. i find the entune gives some weird directions though like trying to take you to main roads as soon as possible even if you could take a small shortcut on a side street for a shorter distance traveled. distances shown and everything else about the nav system i like. it also pops up directions on your gauge cluster display for upcoming turns as you get near them.

2. the smart key system is for your TRD packages again. the sensor is only on the driver side door for locking and unlocking but you can program it so that when you grab the handle it unlocks all the doors. simply touch the top of the drivers side handle to lock all the doors. you will need to actually use a physical key for a standard package to get in and start the truck.

3. theres no tow/haul mode like in other trucks since tacomas are seldom used for towing. it would be a wasted feature on most of us and gives us a little cost savings on an already expensive truck. we do have ECT power which just changes some of the shift points.

4. 4wd is nice if it snows in your area or if you plan on doing any offroading(looks like you dont plan on it though). the suspension package is different on the offroad and sport. the main differences is that the offroad has crawl control when the sport does not. crawl control is a mode that lets the truck control the gas and brake up to something like 5miles/hr while you just concentrate on steering. its solely an offroad needed function. the offroad package gauge cluster also shows the tilt and angle of your truck but the sport does not. the sport package has the option for a moonroof, blindspot monitoring(not an option for offroad as far as i know), and a wireless charging pad with the upgraded sports package. other differences are the grilles and available paint colors between sport and offroad.

another thing is that if you are parking in your garage, the standard package does not come with a garage door opener built into the truck while the offroad and sport packages do.

go with the long bed if you plan on using the bed regularly. 6ft is still shorter then most other trucks so its easier parking and moving around in tighter spots. 5ft beds is very small in my opinion and looks kind of off if you get a double cab. looks fine if you do access cab though.

 

For your #3 question, I tow a 4000 lbs camper with mine just fine. It doesn't struggle at all. I think these are rated for 6800 lbs.

I looked at the Canyon and Colorado before trading in my '09 Tacoma for the '16 Tacoma. After driving the '09 a long time, I preferred the feel and features of the Tacoma. Probably preference, but the tacoma feels solid. Although between the other two, I would have taken the Canyon over the Colorado for interior stuff.

 

Your getting a lot of good info from the previous posts. Heres some additonal info regarding what has been posted already.

1. The Nav in my Off Road has been mostly useless. I end up using my phone for the rare occasion I need nav because it gets me to my destination faster, with better direction.

2. I completely agree. The key-less door is great on the TRD models. I only wish the passenger side door had a sensor so I could use the key-less entry on the passenger side also.

3. I've never towed anything so I cant provide any real info. ECT is supposed to help but I dont know how much if any it works with engine braking. Putting it in standard mode and selecting the gear you want may be necessary to get the engine braking you want. Again I have never towed so I am just speculating.

4. TRD sport has a suspension meant for driving on pavement. It also has Paint matched front and rear bumpers, Hood scoop and thats all I can think of right now. The Off Road has its suspension tuned for better off road driving, electronic locking rear diff., Multiu-terrain select and Crawl Control. Its front/back bumpers and fenders are black unless you upgrade to the premium and tech package which is available for the Off Road and includes: (This is taken directly from the Build page on Toyota's website.)Premium & Technology Package (Double Cab): includes front dual zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, rear parking sonar, Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) (replaces chrome rear bumper with color-keyed on Off-Road grade) and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA), projector-beam headlights with LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) with auto on/off feature, and power tilt/slide moonroof. Hard tri-fold tonneau cover: lockable, weather-resistant, and folds to the cab for bed access. V6 Tow Package

The main thing I can say it GO DRIVE all of the trucks your interested in and use that to make your decision. I test drove a double cab TRD Off Road 4x4 and liked it but immediately drove 5 minutes down the road and test drove a double cab Colorado z71 4x4. Both the exact trims I was considering buying. I thought they were both good vehicles but I personally preferred the Tacoma for the way it felt to drive and the looks.

Good luck with your decision.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/my-300-mile-comparison-update.461605/

Here is my comparison going from a Canyon to a Sierra to a Tacoma.

Honestly, you cant go wrong with either of the mid size options. (I dont consider the Frontier an option). The twins and and taco are great options. I personally like the taco styling and the fact I dont have to buy a subscription for nav.

The canyon did have more "features" than the taco does. But the taco has more off road features.

All in all, its your call. Drive both, dont buy for a week after you drive. Find a dealership that will let you do a weekend test drive. Best advice I can give. Good luck!

 

Does the keyless drivers door handle also come on manual trans TRD versions?

 

I'm pretty bias as I have been a Toyota guy my whole life. My TRDOR has every creature comfort aside from leather. I would suggest that even if you don't think you need 4wd that you purchase it anyway. It may be extra cost now but trade in and resale down the road are so much higher on 4wd models. Especially if you don't live in an area that would require it, its rare and desirable. The smart key option, crawl control and other tech package items are definitely nice. Living in Colorado I love seat heaters in the cloth seats. They have been on every day since the end of October. I looked at several options as far as trucks go and felt that this was the best bang for my buck. I looked at the tundra and the new f150 as well. But ultimately decided that for my offroad needs this was just the best option. Plus I don't hate the 22mpg I average in town.

 

My access cab Sport does not.

 

If you get a Tacoma, get the optional Tow Package. Well worth it for about $650. Check out this PDF. It is a great resource on Tacoma specs. Good luck with your purchase.

http://www.tfltruck.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/2016-toyota-Tacoma-Technical-specs.pdf

 

Thank you

 

Oh my. I love you. One thing I always hated was having getting my key out to lock the doors. Well push a button that is.

After reading that I went outside and sure enough. Touch the outside and bam! Doors are locked. No more getting the key out ever!

 

LOL yeah it took me awhile to figure it out to but you just rest your thumb on the little grooved secation to lock the door. One thing I really appreciate is the ability to unlock/lock all 4 doors using keyless. There's nothing I hate more than being a passenger in someone else's car and waiting outside the passenger door as they fumble through their door panel looking for the unlock button. Very annoying #firstworldproblems

 

Where do you live that your truck came standard with a garage door opener? I had to buy that after the fact. I bought a rear view mirror with built in homelink. To my knowledge none of the Tacomas came with Homelink standard or as an option. Did this change for 2017 maybe?

 

Ha. I agree! Once I saw I could change that setting I was pretty excited.

 

He said it did "not" come with one, I think you have to buy a Limited in order to get one from the Factory.

 

Ummm, Simply amazing. I did not know that you could lock the doors by touching the grooves at the front of the handle! I love it. Already used it a couple times today!

 

Thanks for all that helpful information; helps me a lot.

So with the phone you don't need to plug into a USB cable or anything, it just connects via BlueTooth? That works even with, for instance, Pandora?

 

Ah. I have not noticed the online ads mentioning the Entune Premium, but many of the TRP models seem to have "navigation", so I assume they must have the Entune Premium (with the stand alone nav). All the link I posted at the top mentions is "Entune Selective Service Internet Access". I have zero idea what that might be? Sounds like the basic Entune to me?

•